Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Once again, our nation has been affected by gun violence in the form of an attempted assassination attempt against former President Trump. Whatever political leanings you might have, violence in this form can never be condoned. We hope for his full recovery and pray for the bystander who died as a result of the shooting.
As a society, we must continue to fight against the proliferation of gun violence in our country and begin to enact sensible and enforceable legislation that will limit the use of these terrible weapons that have taken the lives of so many innocent people, especially children.
During the coming weeks let us pray for unity and calm, that the divisions which have created so much hatred and animosity will be healed, and that we may move forward with clarity, honesty and respect for one and all.
Prayer for Our Country
Almighty God,
you have given us this good land as our heritage.
Make us always remember your generosity
and constantly do your will.
Bless our land with honesty and integrity,
sound learning, and an honorable way of life.
Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.
Make us, who come from many nations
with many different languages,
a united people.
Defend our liberties and give those whom we have entrusted with the authority of government the spirit of wisdom,
that there might be justice and peace in our land.
When times are prosperous, let our hearts be thankful;
and, in troubled times, do not let our trust in you fail.
We ask all this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
This week we continue our presentations on vocations with a reflection by Kathy Swift, a Mercy Associate.
God, what do you want me to do with my life? “Is it I, Lord?” a line from a favorite hymn, Here I am, Lord, is the discernment question I posed when seeking a vocation. I envied the burning bush that God sent Moses and the direct line to God’s voice Noah had. Why didn’t I get a clear sign from God?
God sends signs, but I need to be attentive to interpret them. How to answer, “God, what do you want me to do with my life” ?
I believe vocations are discovered by feeling as much as thinking. As an English teacher, I seek similes to clarify how to explain how I knew when I had found my vocation. The cliché of the key in the lock springs to mind. The pieces of my life fit together and an opening occurs. I also liken it to when I sing and the note I project is the exact one written by the composer and it resonates in my ears and heart.
My introduction to Mercy Association resonated in this heart-way when I heard from the charismatic director Sister Grace Mannion the origins and specifics of this vocation option birthed in 1968. As someone who was attracted to religious life but felt unworthy, I harmonized with this call to association. Through the structure of our covenant, I outline what I would do in prayer, ministry and community. Through the year-long orientation/discernment, Sister Grace assured me and the others considering becoming Mercy associates, it didn’t necessarily mean adding to what I was currently doing, but I would do it with the lens of Mercy.
By saying yes to becoming an associate, my teaching became consciously infused with the charism of Mercy. No, I didn’t become a soft-touch teacher who allowed students to do whatever they wanted, but I did listen to what they said they needed and sifted through responses that affirmed them and kept standards.
I was more deliberate about daily prayer and pursued spiritual direction which was life changing having a talented guide to interpret God’s signs with wisdom.
In the life-giving Mercy community I joined as an associate, we celebrate and minister together. We make collective and personal efforts tied to Mercy Critical concerns: racism, immigration, nonviolence, women, and the earth. I learn from emails from the Justice Committee with model letters to government officials that make me a more active citizen. We signed position statements to end the death penalty and conserve water. We hosted seminars on human trafficking and how to help and hold drives for clothing, baby items, and household items to help immigrants, pregnant women and victims of domestic violence respectively.
“God, what do you want me to do with my life”? to bring Mercy wherever I am. Knowing I had discovered which gift of the Holy Spirit I was graced with, how can I keep from singing?
Blessings on your week ahead!